$2.8m Convention Centre Opens on Fantasy Island
The Fijian Government continues to applaud the vision of the directors of Fantasy Island in growing the tourism sector.
These were the remarks made by the Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau who officiated at the opening of the Fantasy Island Convention Centre in Nadi on Saturday night.
Port Fantasy will be the largest Marina complex in Fiji when all work is completed.
About the marina
Part of the Marina complex is a large convention centre worth an investment of $2.8 million.
The Centre is on the first floor above an undercover bus transfer facility and looks out over the main harbour. There is a large car park for customers.
The Centre has a main hall with a stage and all audio equipment, a bar area, a separate vegetarian dining room, a large commercial kitchen and a lounge area. Mr Koroilavesau said: “We appreciate the work being carried out; I congratulate Abbas Ali and the directors for the huge work carried out since its inception and throughout.
“The type of development here shows the commitment of the shareholders and investors who put their money for development.
“Such a fantastic opportunity that will attract overseas tourists to come and spend their holidays in Fiji.”
Highlights:
The complex has a commercial marina for tourists going to and from the Mamanucas and Yasawas and a separate one for industrial purposes.
Already most of the industrial marina lots are sold and many are operational, with offshore resorts making their mainland base at the Marina.
Hall Engineering (Fiji’s largest dredging company) Captain Cook Cruises having purchased large lots. Mr Koroilavesau added that he became interested in Fantasy Island 10 years ago when Captain Cook Cruises had an interest in the commercial blocks that were
being designed.
Main Terminal of Marina to start soon
Design work is completed for the Main Terminal and construction starts shortly for a 2020 completion date.
Fantasy Island Managing Director, Abbas Ali said, “We are coming to the end of our development, the first phase, the second phase and now we are going to the construction commercial marina.
“We want to introduce that to the public as people of Nadi and the business community because this is more to do with commercial sector. It is very important for us to maintain that relationship with the business community.
“We have commercial lots that have been sold and now waiting for investors to start constructions.
“They have some excellent projects to do that will actually complement our own concept of commercial marina. We have commercial and industrial lots which people have bought.
“Most of them were in the tourism business and they are mostly in line with the marina and developments which need these kinds of location.
“There is a lot of potential in this kind of business especially marina, the need of services grow and it goes to the right development.
“Once we have established that, we have other supporting investment that will take place.”
According to Mr Ali they have so invested $80 million to do with the entire foreshore development, about 150 acres of foreshore land that they have reclaimed and developed into residential lots on the other side and the marina.
Fantasy Island have 290 residential lots including five hotel sites.
Bus Bay boost public transportation
Shahabud Dean Transport Limited managing director Zane Dean said the project for bus bay augurs well in their public services. “This is very good.
“This will boost the tourism industry with the set-up of the convention Centre, as it is a modern one,” he said.
“We have been providing bus routes in this area for the last four years and it is growing and showing great promises with the investment.
“We are providing smaller shuttle buses and it is really ambitious. The neighbouring public are also using it.”
Chamber urge investors to take opportunity
Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Dr Ram Raju said: “If you are thinking of investing this is perhaps the most promising development next to Denarau Island.”